Method and system for producing multiple images in a single image plane using diffraction

ABSTRACT

Methods create images viewable under different selected angles on optical storage devices and other photosensitive surfaces and optical storage devices with super-imposed images. Generally, a photosensitive surface is exposed with multiple diffraction patterns creating super-imposed images. These diffraction patterns create super-imposed images on the photosensitive surfaces, which can be read by either a human or a computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 11/556,012 filed onNov. 2, 2006 and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING MULTIPLEIMAGES IN A SINGLE IMAGE PLANE USING DIFFRACTION.” U.S. Ser. No.11/556,012 is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/597,007, filed Nov. 3, 2005. The entire contents of each of theforegoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to optical storage deviceswith super-imposed, pseudo-holographic images, and more particularly, tomethods for creating pseudo-holographic images on optical storagedevices and other photosensitive substrates, wherein the images areviewable under different selected angles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Creating multiple and discriminate images on the same plane is currentlyachieved by lenticular or holographic techniques. Lenticular techniquesrely on the images being separated by a secondary sheet of lenses todiscriminate the images. The images are interleaved together and alenticular sheet composed of a series of cylindrical lenses molded intoa plastic substrate is layered on top of the interlaced image.

Holograms or light interference is another way to discriminate images onthe same recording plane. With holograms, the goal is to record thecomplete wave field of both amplitude and phase. In order to record thecomplete wave field of both amplitude and phase, a reference beam iscreated to interfere with the object of exposure and then recorded ontoa recording medium several microns thick. However, this thickness canoften pose an obstacle in terms of image recording time and versatility.For example, in a dot matrix hologram method described in Europeanpatent No. 91306316.0 as cited in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,282, individualholographic gratings are produced by changing the alignment angle of theinterference beam to expose from 255 discrete angles. This process istypically very slow and usually takes 5 to 6 hours to expose a one-inchsquare area.

Another technique, demonstrated by holography pioneers Emmett N. Leithand Juris Upatnieks, separates images using a reference beam that isrecorded at a different angle from the object than the beam. However,like other holographic techniques, this relies on the interferencepattern of two wavefronts, which causes difficulties and inaccuracies interms of alignment and environmental controls.

With respect to optical storage media, U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,767 describesa method for providing holograms, wherein the holograms are created onthe same surface as the digital recordings using successive exposureswith different lasers to create phase interference. This method requirestwo light wave exposures that create phase interference diffractiongratings to create holograms or dot matrixed holograms. These phaseinterference diffraction gratings are uniform. Devices incorporatingthese uniform gratings are commonly referred to as Optical VariableDevices or OVD's. As such, under an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), anOVD image has evenly distributed gratings and no discrete components.Additionally, creation of these uniform, phase interference diffractiongratings requires expensive and complex multi-laser hardware. This isvery different from machines that create digital recordable, re-playableindentations that only use a single beam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes systems and methods for creatingpseudo-holographic images viewable under different selected angles, onoptical storage devices and other photosensitive substrates. The presentinvention also includes novel optical storage devices withsuper-imposed, pseudo-holographic images. In general, a photosensitivesubstrate is exposed with multiple diffraction patterns creatingsuper-imposed, pseudo-holographic images. These diffraction patternscreate super-imposed images on the photosensitive substrate, which canbe read by either a human or a computer. The present invention may beapplicable to one or more commercially available photosensitivesubstrates.

The present invention includes a system and method for using a singlelaser beam wave front and diffractive elements to cause multiplediffractions. In one embodiment, the first order of the multiplediffractions is the most predominant, and the diffractions are createdat distinct angles away from the 0^(th) order of the wave front as afunction of wavelength, the dimensions of the diffraction element, andthe index in which the wave front of the light propagates through thediffraction element. That is, the location of each diffraction image isdictated by the equation nλ=d sin θ; where n is the order number, lambdais the wavelength, d is the distance between the diffraction elementsand theta is the angle placement of the n^(th) order. Due to thesemultiple diffractions, the first image of the multiple diffractionimages, when viewed either by transmitted and/or reflected light atdistinct angles, can be configured to reveal an image designed to havethe predominant first order intensity placed at one or more distinctangles. That is, the invention can be used to create a spiral exposurepattern that matches the pixels of the multiple images. The multipleimages can also be configured to be recorded at various depths withinthe recording photosensitive substrate.

More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention includes a systemand method for forming pseudo-holographic images comprising: exposing aphotosensitive substance to form a plurality of diffractive elements;and, forming a pseudo-holographic, diffraction image comprising saiddiffractive elements, which can be viewed at an angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present invention, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numeralsdenote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates light wave propagation off of diffractive elements inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates light wave propagation off of a second set ofdiffractive elements, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system for recording multiplepseudo-holographic images viewable under different selected angles, inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of the method of creating a firstpseudo-holographic image in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of the method of creating a secondpseudo-holographic image, in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of creating reproducible masks with aplurality of pseudo-holographic images to assist in copying, inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a surface with a plurality of pseudo-holographicimages viewable under different selected angles, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a novel, optical storage device with super-imposedpseudo-holographic images, in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) image of thediffractive elements, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses methods for creating multiplediffraction images on photosensitive substrates. These multiplediffraction images comprise a plurality of diffractive elements, whichcan be viewed either by transmitted and/or reflected light at distinctangles. As illustrated in FIG. 1, these diffraction elements may beconfigured to reveal an image designed to have the predominant firstorder intensity. In turn, the invention can be used to create a spiralexposure pattern that matches the pixels of the multiple images. Themultiple images can also be configured to be recorded at various depthsand at various gratings within the photosensitive substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first image is used with integer spacingbetween each successive diffraction element to create a first set ofdiffraction elements with a first order intensity corresponding to afirst angle as illustrated in FIG. 1. Secondly, as illustrated in FIG.2, a second image is used with non-integer spacing between eachsuccessive diffraction element to create a second set of diffractionelements with a first order intensity corresponding to a second angle.For example, the second set of elements has a diffraction grating thatis 1.5 microns apart. These differential gratings allow for multipleimages to be superimposed on the photosensitive substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensitive substrate comprises anoptical storage device such as, for example, one or more of: compactdiscs (CDs), “digital versatile discs” or “digital video discs” (DVDs),BluRay discs (BDs), “high definition DVDs” (HDDVD), Recordable OpticalDiscs, Pre-Recorded Optical Discs and optical memory cards. Each ofthese photosensitive substrates includes a photosensitive substance. Aphotosensitive substance is any substance which reacts upon receivingphotons of light. For example, photosensitive substrates like writableCD/DVDs and rewritable CD/DVDs incorporate photodyes or phase-changealloys, respectively. Non-writeable CD/DVDs are produced from masterstampers, which are copied into plastic discs and sold. These stampersare produced by coating a photosensitive substance, commonly referred toas a photoresist, or depositing a thin metallic phase changeablematerial to a substrate and exposing with a laser. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that there numerous photoresists andsubstrates contemplated in this disclosure.

A method for recording multiple images is described in more detail withreference to an exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 3. In oneembodiment, recording system 300 includes two or more images 302, acomputer controller 304, an eight-to-fourteen modulation (EFM) encoder306, a modulation driver 308, a light source 310, a digital to analogconverter (DAC)/frequency controller 312, an acousto-optic modulator(AOM) 314, a lens 316, a photosensitive substrate 320, a turn-tableapparatus 322, and a translation system 326. System 300 may also includeone or more media sources 324.

That is, recording system 300 is configured with turn-table apparatus322 to facilitate carrying and rotating photosensitive substrate 320 insynchronization with translation system 326. Recording system 300 can beconfigured, via a spiral system, to create a recording of digital images302 onto photosensitive substrate 320 that will have spacing betweensuccessive turns equal to each predetermined diffractive grating that isconfigured with each image 302.

Images 302 can be configured to be any size or shape. In one exemplaryembodiment, images 302 are configured to have substantially similardimensions. Images 302 can also be configured in digital format as oneor more of: binary, grayscale, and/or color images. For images 302configured as binary images, images 302 can be configured with multiplebits to represent different levels of pixel color and intensity. Images302 can also be configured to have various resolutions, such as 2048×256pixels, 800×600 pixels, 1024×512 pixels, and/or the like. In oneembodiment, images 302 have resolutions of 2048×256 pixels. Further,images 302 can be any type of image files, such as bitmaps, jpegs, gifs,and/or the like.

In one embodiment, computer controller 304 is coupled to EFM encoder306, modulation driver 308, light source 310, DAC/frequency controller312, AOM 314, and/or turn-table apparatus 322 to facilitate recording ofimages 302 onto photosensitive substrate 320. Computer controller 304comprises a processor, a display, and/or one or more input devices. Theprocessor comprises a personal computer, a UNIX system, or any otherconventional processing unit. The display comprises a monitor, LCDscreen, or any other device configured to display an image. Aninput/output device comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen, orany other device for inputting information. The information from theinput device and images displayed may be received or transmitted in anyformat, such as manually, by analog device, by digital device, and/or byany other mechanisms. The processor, display, and/or input device may becoupled together in any manner. By coupling, the devices comprisingcomputer controller 304 may directly communicate with each other or maybe connected through one or more other devices or components that allowa signal to travel to/from one component to another. The variouscoupling components for the devices comprising computer controller 304may include one or more of the internet, a wireless network, aconventional wire cable, an optical cable or connection through anyother medium that conducts signals, and any other coupling device orcommunication medium.

EFM encoder 306 facilitates encoding data from images 302. That is, EFMencoder 306 facilitates converting images 302 into an electrical signal.The electrical signal then drives modulation driver 308 and/or AOM 314to facilitate turning light source 310, according to the digitalinformation on the file. EFM encoder 306 can be configured as any typeof encoder known in the art, such as, for example, a Media Morphics™encoder.

AOM 314 is configured to control the power, frequency and/or spatialdirection of light source 310 using the electrical drive signal frommodulation driver 308. DAC/frequency controller 312 is used to convertthe binary code of digital images 302 to an analog signal, such as, forexample, frequency, voltage, and/or electrical current to drivemodulation driver 308.

Light source 310 is configured as any type of light source forfacilitating writing data and/or images to a storage device. Lightsource 310 can include gas lasers, LEDs, dye lasers, and/or any othertype of light source and/or laser. In one embodiment, system 300incorporates a Coherent Enterprise II laser at 413 nm as light source310 and has an acousto-optical modulator to turn light source 310 on andoff in the nanoseconds range. Light source 310 can be coupled to one ormore additional optical elements to facilitate focusing and/orrecording. For example, in one embodiment, light source 310 is focusedby an objective lens to a spot size of about 0.3 microns.

Media source 324 comprises any type of data source for writing non-imagedata to photosensitive substrate 320. Media source 324 can include acomputer, a network, a flash drive, a data file, a music file, a moviefile, and/or any other data media, network and/or device.

Turn-table apparatus 322, in one embodiment, is configured as a rotaryturntable that provides a rotational pulse, for example, per eachrotation. Turn-table apparatus 322 can also comprise a translationsystem 326 that moves light source 310 radially relative to theturn-table apparatus 322. Translation system 326 comprises one or morelenses, reflectors, beamsplitters, and/or the like. Turn-table apparatus322 may be configured similarly to turn tables used in the making ofprerecorded or recordable glass masters for CD and DVD's. For example,turn-table apparatus 322 can comprise systems that are commerciallyavailable through companies such as Sony, Panasonic, Singulus, M2, ODC,and/or the like. In one exemplary embodiment, turn-table apparatus 322is the Singulus AM200 system.

Photosensitive substrate 320 can comprise any type of substrate, such asa substrate formed of glass, quartz and/or a ceramic material, which canbe configured to be coated with a photosensitive substance. Examples ofphotosensitive substances include photodyes, phase-change alloys and/orphotoresists. One of reasonable skill in the art will recognize thatnumerous photosensitive substances and substrates are contemplated inthis disclosure.

In exemplary embodiments, the photosensitive substrate 320 can beconfigured to be any size and/or shape. In one exemplary embodiment,photosensitive substrate 320 is configured in a round format with a 160mm diameter. In one embodiment, the photosensitive substrate 320 iscreated by coating a substrate with a photosensitive substance at 200 nmdeep so that the photosensitive substrate 320 is sensitive to a 413 nmrecording wavelength. The photosensitive substance layer can be formedby coating a photoresist material over a surface of a substrate. Thephotoresist material can be configured to be “activated” by having aphotochemical reaction upon exposure. A variation of depth of thephotoresist layer on photosensitive substrate 320 can facilitateincreasing the contrast of images 302 depending on the viewing source oflight. In one exemplary embodiment, the photosensitive substance used tocoat the substrate is a 20% concentration of photoresist and solventmanufactured by Shipley.

In certain embodiments, to optimize the first order intensity of image302 patterns, photosensitive substrate 604 (i.e. the recording layer)can be configured to have a thickness that is not optimal to facilitatecreation of features that are useful in the playback of the optical datastorage media. In these embodiments, the thickness of the recordinglayer 604 can be configured with a thickness that is higher than optimalfor the recording of the optical data storage media. During therecording process, the relative intensity difference of light source 310can be made such that the intensity of light source 310 for the opticaldata storage media when developed will result in features thatfacilitate the playback of such media.

An exemplary method for using recording system 300 to facilitaterecording images 302 on the same plane using diffractive elements isillustrated with reference to an exemplary flow chart illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. An exemplary method for recording a first image 302comprises coating a substrate with a photosensitive substance solution(step 401). For example, a substrate can be covered with a solution of20% photoresist to achieve a photoresist thickness of 200 nm. Oncesubstrate has been covered with a desired layer of photoresist material604, it can be placed onto turn-table apparatus 322 of system 300 (step403).

First image 302 can be placed into system 300 to begin the recordingprocess (step 405). Computer controller 304 may be used to programsystem 300 to start triggering AOM 314 with the information from thefirst image 302 (step 407). The programming information may comprise ofstart and stop dimensions for recording image 302 onto photosensitivesubstrate 320. For example, computer controller 304 may be configured torecord first image 302 information starting at a 35 mm radius onphotosensitive substrate 320 and ending at a 50 mm radius onphotosensitive substrate 320 (step 409).

During recording, the color information from first image 302,representing each pixel, can be converted to an analog voltage using aDAC 312 (step 411) and the voltage from DAC 312 can be provided tomodulation driver 308 and/or AOM 314 (step 413) to facilitate varyingthe intensity of light source 310 in increments of the max laserintensity divided by 2 to the power of the number of bits representingthe color information (step 415). The color information can also beconverted to frequency information where the voltage used to drivemodulation driver 308 and/or AOM 314 is a wave voltage signal with thefrequencies varying in increments of reference frequency divided by 2 tothe power of the number of bits representing the color information.

During the recording steps (steps 409-415), computer controller 304 mayalso be configured to start rotating turn table apparatus 322 at aconstant angular velocity (step 417), for example, at a constant angularvelocity of 10 revolutions per second. Computer controller 304 can alsobe used to activate translation system 326 to displace light source 310radially to create a spiral exposure pattern matching the pixels offirst image 302 (step 419). That is, translation system 326 can beconfigured to traverse at a constant rate, for example, at a rate of 1micron per revolution.

After the first image 302 has been recorded, a second image 302 can berecorded onto photosensitive substrate 320. Photosensitive substrate 320can be configured to remain in the same position as it was for therecording of the first image 302, and translation system 326 can bereset back to the same starting radius that it was in for recordingfirst image 302 (step 501). A second image 302 can be configured to berecorded by system 300 (step 503). After second image 302 is in place,computer controller 304 can be again programmed to start triggering AOM314 with the information from second image 302 (step 505). For example,computer controller 304 may be configured to record second image 302information starting at a 35 mm radius on photosensitive substrate 320and ending at a 50 mm radius on photosensitive substrate 320 (step 507).

During recording, the color information from second image 302,representing each pixel, can be converted to an analog voltage using aDAC 312 (step 509) and the voltage from DAC 312 can be provided tomodulation driver 308 and/or AOM 314 (step 511) to facilitate varyingthe intensity of light source 310 in increments of half the max laserintensity divided by 2 to the power of the number of bits in image 302(step 513). The color information can also be converted to frequencyinformation where the voltage used to drive modulation driver 308 and/orAOM 314 is a wave voltage signal with the frequencies varying inincrements of reference frequency divided by 2 to the power of thenumber of bits in image 302.

During these second recording steps (step 507-513), computer controller304 may also be configured to start rotating turn table apparatus 322 ata constant angular velocity (step 515), for example, at a constantangular velocity of 10 revolutions per second. Computer controller 304can also be used to activate translation system 326 to displace lightsource 310 radially to create a spiral exposure pattern matching thepixels of second image 302 (step 517). That is, translation system 326can be configured to traverse at a constant rate, for example, at a rateof 1.5 micron per revolution.

With reference to an exemplary diagram illustrated in FIG. 6, and withcontinued reference to FIG. 5, the photosensitive substance layer ofphotosensitive substrate comprising a photoresist 620 can then bedeveloped to provide the two separate spacings from recording images 302(step 519). That is, upon developing the photoresist layer, regionscorresponding to grooves 604 and/or depressions 602 are exposed. By“developing” the photoresist layer, it can be immersed in, sprayed with,exposed to and/or combined in any other way with a developer.

Photosensitive substrate 620 can then be metallized (step 521), usingany metallization process, such as, for example, a sputtering process.By metallization, a metal 605, such as, for example nickel or silver,can be evaporated and/or coated onto the surface of exposedphotosensitive substrate 620, providing a conductive layer. Oncephotosensitive substrate 320 is metallized, it can be electroplated totransfer the autostereoscopic images to a nickel master and/or stamper(step 523). That is a stamper 610 can then formed by plating a metal,for example nickel, against and into depressions 602 and/or grooves 604to provide stamper 610 having inverted features, i.e. raised features onone surface.

Stamper 610 can then be placed in a molding machine to create plasticsubstrates (step 525). By creating plastic substrates, stamper 610 canbe used to facilitate replicating grooves 604 and/or depressions 602into a plastic substrate (not shown) by embossing techniques and/or byinjection molding procedures. Plastic substrates can be made out of anyplastic and/or glass material, including, for example, a polycarbonatematerial. Plastic substrate can be metallized by being overcoated with arecording medium structure (step 527), which can include a recordinglayer containing a dye, a reflective metallization layer over therecording layer, and/or a protective layer formed over the metallizationlayer.

When the metallized plastic substrates are viewed under a source oflight, first and second images 302 are revealed at the angles designed.Specifically first image 302 will be seen (or partially seen) at oneangle without completely or partially seeing second image 302. Whenmoved to the anticipated angle of second image 302, only second image302 can be viewed (or partially viewed) without completely or partiallyseeing first image 302. In exemplary diagram in FIG. 7, an example ofhow the angle of viewing affects the viewing of images 302 is provided.

In another embodiment, diffraction patterns create super-imposed otherinformation (e.g., barcode) viewable under different selected angles onthe photosensitive substrate, which can be read by either a human and/ora computer.

In another exemplary embodiment, the optical storage device is exposedwith a plurality of diffractive elements, such that, when the storagedevice is tilted from the reading hardware or the reading hardware ismoved to varying angles above the storage device data can be retrieve ateach discrete angle. This embodiment allows for increased data densityon many common optical storage devices such as, for example CDs, DVD's,BluRay disc, HDDVD, Recordable Optical Discs, Pre-Recorded Optical Discsand/or optical memory cards.

In another exemplary embodiment, in the DVD format as defined in theECMA-267 standard, the two different planes that carry opticalinformation are separated by a gap to allow for playback of more data.Thus, the diffractive elements of the current invention can be used tocause multiple diffractions on the DVD, and the most predominant of thediffraction orders can be placed to display multiple images through thesame side of the DVD. That is, a first layer may be configured to be thedata layer where light is partially reflected, and a second layer cancontain the diffractive elements and/or images where the reflectivity ismanufactured to be higher than that of the first layer. Additionallyand/or alternatively, a layer of diffractive elements can be insertedwithout interference into the functioning playback layer of the intendedoptical data surface. Thus, if a playback device is tilted away fromperpendicular and read by reflected signal, more data can be read backfrom the optical data surface at multiple angles. As a result, more datacan be provided from both sides of an optical data surface.

In another embodiment, the diffractive elements can be placed onnon-optical carrying data regions as well as in the optical datacarrying regions as well. The present invention contemplates thediffractive elements being formed on any surface. In one embodiment, thediffractive elements are formed on the side surfaces of the pits. Forexample, the most predominant order of the images can be placed atdistinct angles outside that of the optical storage media, so that theycan be exposed on the data area of optical storage media withoutinterfering with the playback of the optical storage media. This may beuseful for security and/or other purposes.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, to improve the discrimination ofthe multiple images, each image can be recorded into a recording layerthat is thicker than the optimal recording thickness needed to createdata elements usable in the playback of optical storage media. That is,the typical image thicknesses range from 120 nm to 250 nm, however, theimages can be configured to be recorded at thicknesses in excess of 250nm. In order to facilitate this process, the diffractive elements areused to expose the predominant orders at a higher laser intensity. This,in turn, causes the photoresist to be exposed at a greater depth thannormal, while the laser intensity used to create the data elements canbe exposed at a lower intensity. As a result, the exposed depth of thephotoresist is developed at an optimal depth for use in facilitatingplayback of the data elements.

An exemplary illustration of the diffraction elements can be found inFIG. 9. FIG. 9 represents an AFM image of the diffractive elements ofthis invention. As illustrated, the diffractive elements, in oneembodiment, are substantially non-uniform, discrete diffractiveelements. These elements are pre-calculated and digitally recordedindividually. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality ofdiffractive elements is formed by only one exposure to only one lightwave. This individual digital recording uses single beam hardware, whichis commonly sold for creating the indentations on optical storagedevices and can create the diffractive elements much more quickly.Additionally, these elements produce holograms using phase interferenceand are analog in nature.

For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, applicationdevelopment and other functional aspects of the systems (and componentsof the individual operating components of the systems) may not bedescribed in detail herein. It also should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system.

The various system components discussed herein may include one or moreof the following: a host server or other computing systems including aprocessor for processing digital data; a memory coupled to the processorfor storing digital data; an input digitizer coupled to the processorfor inputting digital data; an application program stored in the memoryand accessible by the processor for directing processing of digital databy the processor; a display device coupled to the processor and memoryfor displaying information derived from digital data processed by theprocessor; and a plurality of databases. Various databases used hereinmay include: client data; merchant data; financial institution data;and/or like data useful in the operation of the present invention. Asthose skilled in the art will appreciate, user computer may include anoperating system (e.g., Windows NT, 95/98/2000, OS2, UNIX, Linux,Solaris, MacOS, etc.) as well as various conventional support softwareand drivers typically associated with computers. User computer can be ina home or business environment with access to a network. In an exemplaryembodiment, access is through a network or the Internet through acommercially-available web-browser software package.

As used herein, the term “network” shall include any electroniccommunications means which incorporates both hardware and softwarecomponents of such. Communication among the parties in accordance withthe present invention may be accomplished through any suitablecommunication channels, such as, for example, a telephone network, anextranet, an intranet, Internet, point of interaction device (point ofsale device, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.),online communications, off-line communications, wireless communications,transponder communications, local area network (LAN), wide area network(WAN), networked or linked devices and/or the like. Moreover, althoughthe invention is frequently described herein as being implemented withTCP/IP communications protocols, the invention may also be implementedusing IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number of existing orfuture protocols. If the network is in the nature of a public network,such as the Internet, it may be advantageous to presume the network tobe insecure and open to eavesdroppers. Specific information related tothe protocols, standards, and application software utilized inconnection with the Internet is generally known to those skilled in theart and, as such, need not be detailed herein. See, for example, DILIPNAIK, INTERNET STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS (1998); JAVA 2 COMPLETE, variousauthors, (Sybex 1999); DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC RAY, MASTERING HTML 4.0(1997); and LOSHIN, TCP/IP CLEARLY EXPLAINED (1997) and DAVID GOURLEYAND BRIAN TOTTY, HTTP, THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE (2002), the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

The various system components may be independently, separately orcollectively suitably coupled to the network via data links whichincludes, for example, a connection to an Internet Service Provider(ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in connection withstandard modem communication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL), or various wireless communication methods, see,e.g., GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATA COMMUNICATIONS (1996), which ishereby incorporated by reference. It is noted that the network may beimplemented as other types of networks, such as an interactivetelevision (ITV) network. Moreover, the system contemplates the use,sale or distribution of any goods, services or information over anynetwork having similar functionality described herein.

Any databases discussed herein may be any type of database, such asrelational, hierarchical, graphical, object-oriented, and/or otherdatabase configurations. Common database products that may be used toimplement the databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), variousdatabase products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores,Calif.), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server by MicrosoftCorporation (Redmond, Wash.), or any other suitable database product.Moreover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner, forexample, as data tables or lookup tables. Each record may be a singlefile, a series of files, a linked series of data fields or any otherdata structure. Association of certain data may be accomplished throughany desired data association technique such as those known or practicedin the art. For example, the association may be accomplished eithermanually or automatically. Automatic association techniques may include,for example, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL,and/or the like. The association step may be accomplished by a databasemerge function, for example, using a “key field” in pre-selecteddatabases or data sectors.

More particularly, a “key field” partitions the database according tothe high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example,certain types of data may be designated as a key field in a plurality ofrelated data tables and the data tables may then be linked on the basisof the type of data in the key field. The data corresponding to the keyfield in each of the linked data tables is preferably the same or of thesame type. However, data tables having similar, though not identical,data in the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, any suitabledata storage technique may be utilized to store data without a standardformat. Data sets may be stored using any suitable technique, including,for example, storing individual files using an ISO/IEC 7816-4 filestructure; implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selectedthat exposes one or more elementary files containing one or more datasets; using data sets stored in individual files using a hierarchicalfiling system; data sets stored as records in a single file (includingcompression, SQL accessible, hashed via one or more keys, numeric,alphabetical by first tuple, etc.); block of binary (BLOB); stored asungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC 7816-6 data elements;stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract SyntaxNotation (ASN.1) as in ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/or other proprietarytechniques that may include fractal compression methods, imagecompression methods, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ability to store a wide variety ofinformation in different formats is facilitated by storing theinformation as a Block of Binary (BLOB). Thus, any binary informationcan be stored in a storage space associated with a data set. Asdiscussed above, the binary information may be stored on the financialtransaction instrument or external to but affiliated with the financialtransaction instrument. The BLOB method may store data sets as ungroupeddata elements formatted as a block of binary via a fixed memory offsetusing either fixed storage allocation, circular queue techniques, orbest practices with respect to memory management (e.g., paged memory,least recently used, etc.). By using BLOB methods, the ability to storevarious data sets that have different formats facilitates the storage ofdata associated with the financial transaction instrument by multipleand unrelated owners of the data sets. For example, a first data setwhich may be stored may be provided by a first party, a second data setwhich may be stored may be provided by an unrelated second party, andyet a third data set which may be stored, may be provided by an thirdparty unrelated to the first and second party. Each of these threeexemplary data sets may contain different information that is storedusing different data storage formats and/or techniques. Further, eachdata set may contain subsets of data that also may be distinct fromother subsets.

As stated above, in various embodiments of the present invention, thedata can be stored without regard to a common format. However, in oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the data set (e.g., BLOB)may be annotated in a standard manner when provided for manipulating thedata onto the financial transaction instrument. The annotation maycomprise a short header, trailer, or other appropriate indicator relatedto each data set that is configured to convey information useful inmanaging the various data sets. For example, the annotation may becalled a “condition header”, “header”, “trailer”, or “status”, herein,and may comprise an indication of the status of the data set or mayinclude an identifier correlated to a specific issuer or owner of thedata. In one example, the first three bytes of each data set BLOB may beconfigured or configurable to indicate the status of that particulardata set; e.g., LOADED, INITIALIZED, READY, BLOCKED, REMOVABLE, orDELETED. Subsequent bytes of data may be used to indicate for example,the identity of the issuer, user, transaction/membership accountidentifier or the like. Each of these condition annotations are furtherdiscussed herein.

The data set annotation may also be used for other types of statusinformation as well as various other purposes. For example, the data setannotation may include security information establishing access levels.The access levels may, for example, be configured to permit only certainindividuals, levels of employees, companies, or other entities to accessdata sets, or to permit access to specific data sets based on thetransaction, merchant, issuer, user or the like. Furthermore, thesecurity information may restrict/permit only certain actions such asaccessing, modifying, and/or deleting data sets. In one example, thedata set annotation indicates that only the data set owner or the userare permitted to delete a data set, various identified merchants arepermitted to access the data set for reading, and others are altogetherexcluded from accessing the data set. However, other access restrictionparameters may also be used allowing various entities to access a dataset with various permission levels as appropriate.

The data, including the header or trailer may be received by a standalone interaction device configured to add, delete, modify, or augmentthe data in accordance with the header or trailer. As such, in oneembodiment, the header or trailer is not stored on the transactiondevice along with the associated issuer-owned data but instead theappropriate action may be taken by providing to the transactioninstrument user at the stand alone device, the appropriate option forthe action to be taken. The present invention may contemplate a datastorage arrangement wherein the header or trailer, or header or trailerhistory, of the data is stored on the transaction instrument in relationto the appropriate data.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for security reasons,any databases, systems, devices, servers or other components of thepresent invention may consist of any combination thereof at a singlelocation or at multiple locations, wherein each database or systemincludes any of various suitable security features, such as firewalls,access codes, encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, and/orthe like.

The computers discussed herein may provide a suitable website or otherInternet-based graphical user interface which is accessible by users. Inone embodiment, the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS),Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS), and Microsoft SQL Server, are usedin conjunction with the Microsoft operating system, Microsoft NT webserver software, a Microsoft SQL Server database system, and a MicrosoftCommerce Server. Additionally, components such as Access or MicrosoftSQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Informix MySQL, Interbase, etc., may be usedto provide an Active Data Object (ADO) compliant database managementsystem.

Because data may be written from any media source, a website and/or webpage may be used as a source of images and/or other data to be recorded.Further, any of the communications, inputs, storage, databases ordisplays discussed herein may be facilitated through a website havingweb pages. The term “web page” as it is used herein is not meant tolimit the type of documents and applications that might be used tointeract with the user. For example, a typical website might include, inaddition to standard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets,JavaScript, active server pages (ASP), common gateway interface scripts(CGI), extensible markup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascading stylesheets (CSS), helper applications, plug-ins, and the like. A server mayinclude a web service that receives a request from a web server, therequest including a URL (http://yahoo.com/stockquotes/ge) and an IPaddress (123.56.789). The web server retrieves the appropriate web pagesand sends the data or applications for the web pages to the IP address.Web services are applications that are capable of interacting with otherapplications over a communications means, such as the internet. Webservices are typically based on standards or protocols such as XML,SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Web services methods are well known in the art, andare covered in many standard texts. See, e.g., ALEX NGHIEM, IT WEBSERVICES: A ROADMAP FOR THE ENTERPRISE (2003), hereby incorporated byreference.

The present invention may be described herein in terms of functionalcomponents, optional selections and various processing steps. It shouldbe appreciated that such functional components may be realized by anynumber of hardware and/or software components configured to perform thespecified functions. For example, the present invention may employvarious integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the softwareelements of the present invention may be implemented with anyprogramming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL,assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markuplanguage (XML), with the various algorithms being implemented with anycombination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or otherprogramming elements. Further, it should be noted that the presentinvention may employ any number of conventional techniques for datatransmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like.Still further, the invention could be used to detect or prevent securityissues with a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript,VBScript or the like. For a basic introduction of cryptography andnetwork security, see any of the following references: (1) “AppliedCryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, And Source Code In C,” by BruceSchneier, published by John Wiley & Sons (second edition, 1996); (2)“Java Cryptography” by Jonathan Knudson, published by O'Reilly &Associates (1998); (3) “Cryptography & Network Security: Principles &Practice” by William Stallings, published by Prentice Hall; all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied as a customization of an existing system, anadd-on product, upgraded software, a stand alone system, a distributedsystem, a method, a data processing system, a device for dataprocessing, and/or a computer program product. Accordingly, the presentinvention may take the form of an entirely software embodiment, anentirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining aspects of bothsoftware and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take theform of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program code means embodied in the storagemedium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized,including hard disks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storagedevices, and/or the like.

These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructionsthat execute on the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may alsobe stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks.The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein shows various exemplary embodiments and the best modes, known tothe inventors at this time, of the invention are disclosed. Theseexemplary embodiment and modes are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration or theinvention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended toteach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes andany equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to thoseof reasonably skill in the art. Additionally, all included figures arenon-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, whichsimilarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments thatare known or obvious to those of reasonably skill in the art.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”,“having”, “including”, “includes”, or any variation thereof, areintended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list ofelements does not include only those elements recited, but may alsoinclude other elements not expressly listed and equivalents inherentlyknown or obvious to those of reasonable skill in the art. Othercombinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the instant invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parametersor other operating requirements without departing from the scope of theinstant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Moreover, unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent thatthe words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given thecommonly accepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaningused by those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instancewhere these meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning.If it is intended to limit or narrow these meanings specific,descriptive adjectives will be used. Absent the use of these specificadjectives, the words and phrases in the specification and the claimsshould be given the broadest possible meaning. If any other specialmeaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification willclearly state and define the special meaning.

The use of the words “function”, “means” or step in the specification orclaims is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 USC 112, Paragraph6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if such provisions areintended to be invoked to define the invention, then the claims willspecifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function,without recitation of such phrases of any material, structure, or at insupport of the function. Contrastingly, the intention is NOT to invokesuch provision when then claims cite a “means for” or a “step for”performing a function with recitation of any structure, material, or actin support of the function. If such provision is invoked to define theinvention it is intended that the invention not be limited only to thespecific structure, materials, or acts that are described in thepreferred embodiments, but in addition to include any and allstructures, materials, or acts that perform the claimed function, alongwith any and all known or later-developed equivalent materials,structures, or acts for performing the claimed function.

1. A method of forming discrete diffractive elements, the methodcomprising: processing a digital instructional file to generate aconfiguration for a plurality of discrete diffractive elementsconfigured to produce a complex light wavefront; and serially recordingeach of the plurality of discrete diffractive elements by exposing arotating photosensitive medium with a single non-referenced lightsource, wherein the serial recording is performed absent other lightinterference of the light source.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of discrete diffractive elements are non-uniform.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the rotating photosensitive medium rotatesabout an axis parallel to the light source.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the complex light wavefront is a hologram.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the complex light wavefront is a digital image.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the complex light wavefront is recordedspatially in 3 dimensions in the rotating photosensitive medium.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of discretediffractive elements correspond to a pixel description in the digitalinstructional file.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the serialrecording is accomplished with one laser impact point.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the one laser impact point comprises a size of about0.3 microns.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein laser impact points aresuperimposed to form a diffractive element larger than about 0.3microns.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the serial recording isperformed utilizing single-beam hardware.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the serial recording is performed by turning a laser on and offin the nanoseconds range.
 13. An apparatus with multiple diffractionimages, the apparatus comprising: a substrate; a plurality of firstdiffractive elements coupled to the substrate, wherein the configurationof each of the first diffractive elements was calculated by processing adigital instructional file, and wherein each of the first diffractiveelements was serially recorded by exposing the substrate with a singlenon-referenced light source absent other interference of the lightsource; and a plurality of second diffractive elements coupled to thesubstrate, wherein the configuration of each of the second diffractiveelements was calculated by processing a digital instructional file, andwherein each of the second diffractive elements was serially recorded byexposing the substrate with a single non-referenced light source absentother interference of the light source.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the plurality of first diffractive elements form an image whenviewed at a first angle, and wherein the plurality of second diffractiveelements form an image when viewed at a second angle different from thefirst angle.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein one or more of theplurality of first diffractive elements correspond to a pixeldescription in the digital instructional file.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the serial recording is accomplished with one laserimpact point.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one laserimpact point comprises a size of about 0.3 microns.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the serial recording is performed utilizingsingle-beam hardware.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the serialrecording is performed by turning a laser on and off in the nanosecondsrange.
 20. A method for writing data, the method comprising: beginningat an initial location, exposing a rotating photosensitive substrate toa laser with a first maximum intensity, wherein the laser is configuredto traverse the photosensitive substrate at a first distance perrevolution; and beginning again at the initial location, exposing therotating photosensitive substrate to the laser with a second maximumintensity, wherein the laser is configured to traverse thephotosensitive substrate at a second distance per revolution.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the initial location is at a fixed radiusfrom the axis of rotation of the photosensitive substrate.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the initial location is at a fixed angularposition of the photosensitive substrate.